MARQUETTE — Nine Upper Peninsula businesses are among 69 businesses statewide receiving support through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Match on Main program, which provides funding to help new and expanding small businesses grow in downtowns and commercial districts.

U.P. recipients include businesses in Houghton (Center Ice Skate and Sport, Inc. and Armando’s Inc.), Wakefield (Z’s Hometown Market, LLC), Marquette (Kognisjon Bryggeri, LLC), Negaunee (The Negaunee Holdings LLC), L’Anse (Village Gift Store, LLC), Ironwood (UP-N-Smoke BBQ LLC), Escanaba (Nevaeh Salon LLC) and Munising (Falling Rock Cafe, LLC), with several receiving the maximum $25,000 award.

These awards put capital directly into locally owned businesses in the U.P. that help keep downtowns active, fill storefronts, and strengthen the commercial districts that communities depend on.